Process for aligning macromolecules by passage of a meniscus and applications

Abstract

A product includes a surface on which a coupled complex is aligned, adherent, and stationary, obtained by a process that includes providing a support having a surface with a molecule with biological activity attached, contacting the surface with a sample containing a macromolecule to couple the macromolecule to the molecule on the surface, passing a meniscus over the coupled complex to align the coupled complex, and detecting the macromolecule in the coupled complex. The product is alternatively obtained by passing a meniscus over the molecule with biological activity prior to contacting the surface with a sample containing a macromolecule to couple the macromolecule to the molecule on the surface.

1. A product obtained by a process for detecting a macromolecule in a sample, wherein the process comprises:
 (a) providing a support having a surface, wherein the surface comprises a molecule with biological activity attached thereto and wherein the molecule with biological activity comprises biotin, a protein, a nucleic acid, a lipid, or a polysaccharide; 
 (b) contacting the sample with the surface to couple the macromolecule in the sample to the molecule with biological activity; 
 (c) passing a meniscus over the coupled complex from step (b) to align the coupled complex on the surface; and 
 (d) detecting, either directly or indirectly, the macromolecule in the coupled complex; 
 wherein the product comprises the surface on which the coupled complex is adherent and stationary. 
 
     
     
       2. A product obtained by a process for detecting a macromolecule in a sample, wherein the process comprises:
 (a) providing a support having a surface, wherein the surface comprises a molecule with biological activity, wherein the molecule with biological activity has been aligned on the surface by passage of a meniscus over the molecule with biological activity, and wherein the molecule with biological activity comprises biotin, a protein, a nucleic acid, a lipid, or a polysaccharide; 
 (b) contacting the sample with the surface to couple the macromolecule in the sample to the molecule with biological activity; and 
 (c) detecting, either directly or indirectly, the macromolecule in the coupled complex from step (b); 
 wherein the product comprises the surface on which the coupled complex is aligned, adherent, and stationary. 
 
     
     
       3. The product obtained by a process for detecting a macromolecule in a sample, wherein the process comprises:
 (a) providing a support having a surface; 
 (b) anchoring a molecule with biological activity to the surface, wherein the molecule with biological activity comprises biotin, a protein, a nucleic acid, a lipid, or a polysaccharide; 
 (c) contacting the sample with the surface to couple the macromolecule in the sample to the molecule with biological activity; 
 (d) passing a meniscus over the coupled complex from step (c) to align the coupled complex on the surface; and 
 (e) detecting, either directly or indirectly, the macromolecule in the coupled complex; 
 wherein the product comprises the surface on which the coupled complex is adherent and stationary. 
 
     
     
       4. The product obtained by a process for detecting a macromolecule in a sample, wherein the process comprises:
 (a) providing a support having a surface; 
 (b) anchoring a molecule with biological activity to the surface, wherein the molecule with biological activity comprises biotin, a protein, a nucleic acid, a lipid, or a polysaccharide; 
 (c) passing a meniscus over the molecule with biological activity to align the molecule with biological activity on the surface; 
 (d) contacting the sample with the surface to couple the macromolecule in the sample to the molecule with biological activity; and 
 (e) detecting, either directly or indirectly, the macromolecule in the coupled complex from step (d); 
 wherein the product comprises the surface on which the coupled complex is aligned, adherent, and stationary.